Meet Rita Chen

Rita Chen is a Senior Transaction Specialist at ENSafrica Law Firm in Johannesburg who holds dual degrees in the area of Commerce and Law and graduated with merit from the European Commission-funded joint Master’s in Oil and Gas LLM degree in Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and Denmark.

Rita is one of the few Chinese admitted attorneys in South Africa who is fluent in both Mandarin and English and has extensive knowledge with engagement in the Chinese-African economic and trade exchanges. She was selected as the youngest female upcoming attorney by the IFLR1000/Petroleum Economist 2014 Energy and Infrastructure Guide. Rita is also a member of the Tzu Chi Foundation.

"The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible. If one has vision and not afraid to dream big and go out of one’s comfort zone, you will achieve the impossible! " ~ Rita Chen

Read more about why Rita is proud to be Chinese and proud to be South African.

Name: Rita Chen

Occupation: Legal – commercial lawyer

1. Where were you born?

Taichong, Taiwan.

2. What school/college/university did you attend?

Collegiate Girls High School in Port Elizabeth – Junior and High School
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth – BCom Law
Universities of Groningen, Oslo, Aberdeen and Copenhagen for my Masters in Energy Law – full name of the course is called the North Sea Energy Law Programme
Harvard Business School – Finance

3. What is your fondest childhood memory, growing up as a Chinese child?

I grew up in Port Elizabeth and my dad owned a wholesale business in town situated right next to the taxi ranks. I remember that I use to walk freely in town, ride in the taxis, chat to the vendors on the streets and buy vetkoeks and braai bread. It’s quite impossible to walk freely on the streets now due to the high crime rate which is really something I miss.

4. What is your favourite Chinese food?

Shredded chicken w/Fish Maw Soup, Sauteed crab with salted yellow yolk and steamed lobsters with garlic vermicelli.

5. Where do you live?

Johannesburg.

6. What work do you do?

I am a Senior Transaction Specialist at ENSafrica Law Firm (Africa’s largest law firm)

7. What do you love about your job?

I love the dynamic, diverse and interesting group of colleagues and client’s that I work with as they are spread across different jurisdictions, industries and cultures. I also love the travelling as I travel to many different parts of Africa to develop business opportunities for the firm.

8. What is your proudest achievement?

When I graduated from my Masters as it was a 2 year course and it was quite difficult to juggle a demanding career and studies at the same time. I was also nominated to take part in the 3rd Course on China-Africa Legal Professionals Exchange Project which forms an integral part of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (“FOCAC”) framework and was subsequently appointed as a consultant to the FOCAC Legal Forum.

9. Why are you proud to be South African?

The rich cultural heritage, super friendly and down to earth people, diverse ecosystem and wildlife, fantastic climate.

10. Why are you proud to be Chinese?

Respectful towards ancestors, teachers or elders, hardworking, punctual, extreme respect for the past and preserving it i.e. National monuments and historic sites.

11. Name one Chinese tradition that you’d like future generations to continue with?

Chinese New Years.

12. What advice would you give to the Chinese youth today in South Africa?

My motto is: The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible. If one has vision and not afraid to dream big and go out of one’s comfort zone, you will achieve the impossible!

Want to contact Rita?

Email ritachen06@outlook.com